UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I
Question 63: Science and Technology
With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements :
- 1.GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
- 2.GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
- 3.GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
GM mustard (DMH-11) was developed at Delhi University's Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, not by IARI and Punjab Agricultural University. Its genes (barnase and barstar, from a soil bacterium) create a male-sterility and fertility-restoration system that makes cross-pollination and hybrid seed production possible, and a third gene gives herbicide tolerance. It does not carry the pest-resistance trait that Bt crops do.
- 1. The inserted bacterial genes enable hybrid breeding and herbicide tolerance, not pest resistance.
- 2. The barnase-barstar genes enable cross-pollination and hybrid seed.
- 3. It was developed at Delhi University, not by IARI and PAU.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: It was developed at Delhi University, not by IARI and PAU.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 2.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: statements 1 and 3 are false.
- (b) Right: only the hybridisation system is correct.
- (c) Wrong: statement 3 is false.
- (d) Wrong: statements 1 and 3 are false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.